Customized golf clubs and method for making same

ABSTRACT

A customized golf club comprising a shaft, a club head body, and a pre-printed, colored, or functional protective wrap applied to the shaft or club head body. A method of customizing golf clubs by applying mass, graphics, logos, decals, or colors to the body or the club head or the shaft by shrink-wrapping or adhering a protective wrap to a portion of the club.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to customized golf clubs havinggraphics, decals, colors, or other functional characteristics applied toa portion of the clubs on or within a protective or decorative wrap, anda method of customizing golf clubs by applying graphics, decals, orcolors using a protective or decorative wrap such as a shrink-wrap filmor pressure-activated adhesive wrap around the shaft and/or the clubhead, excluding the hitting face area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shrink-wrap films are generally made from a polymer plastic, oftenpolyvinylchloride (PVC). Depending upon the type and construction ofpolymers used, when heat or pressure is applied to the material, itdecreases in size to form a seal around or fit to whatever it wascovering. At a microscopic level, the long, thin polymer molecules arelined up in rows. When the heat or pressure is applied, the moleculesvibrate against one another and begin to tangle and twist together. Thistangling and twisting decreases the volume of the shrink-wrap film,creating the shrinking effect around whatever object the film iscovering.

Shrink-wrap films and shrink-wrapping have seen a wide variety ofapplications, such as CD over-wraps, beverage container labels, car-bodyadvertising, retail product and food packaging, etc. Many of these usesemploy printed text, logos, or graphics on the shrink-wrap film toadvertise or inform consumers about the respective products. Holographicimages can also be shrink-wrapped for increased visual appeal andsecurity applications, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,036 B2 to Coxet al. entitled “Holographic Shrink Wrap Element and Method forManufacture Thereof,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

Because shrink-wrap films are made of polymer plastics, they alsoprotect the underlying surface, such as in sealing food containers,scuba tanks, and even batteries, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,415to Call for a “Shrink Wrap Battery Package.”

Shrink-wrapping has been used as a method for applying thin intermediatelayers in the manufacturing of golf balls, as disclosed in commonlyowned U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,854 to Hogge et al. entitled “Golf Ball withVapor Barrier Layer and Method of Making Same,” and commonly owned U.S.Pat. No. 6,872,774 to Sullivan et al. entitled “Golf Ball withNon-Ionomeric Layer.”

Recently, the customization of golf clubs to the individual users hasbecome popular in the golfing industry, with the emergence ofinterchangeable grips, shafts, and club heads, removable club headweights, etc. This also includes painting or airbrushing colors, logos,or graphics onto the club head or shaft. However, painting orairbrushing can be expensive and permanent. Hence, there remains a needfor ways of customizing golf clubs by applying functional wraps, decals,graphics, or colors to the club head or shaft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to customizing different types of golfclubs (i.e., driver-type, iron-type, and putter-type) by applying aprotective or decorative wrap to at least a portion of the club headbody or shaft. The protective or decorative wrap is a traditionalshrink-wrap film or a film that uses a pressure or heat activatedadhesive to adhere to the surface of the club onto which it is applied.

In one aspect of the invention, the protective or decorative wrap isapplied to at least a portion of the club head body of the golf club.The wrap includes high density fillers such as tungsten in selectedportions thereof, such as the sole portion, in order to adjust thecenter of gravity and moment of inertia of the club head. The wrap mayalso include a low-friction polymer, such as polytetrafluoroethylene,with the portion of the wrap containing the low-friction polymer appliedto the sole portion of the club head.

In another aspect of the invention, the protective or decorative wrap isapplied to at least a portion of the golf club shaft. The wrap includesa polyamide fiber such as Kevlar to change functional characteristics,such as the stiffness of the portion of the shaft covered by wrap.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the wrap is pre-printed beforebeing applied to a portion of the golf club head or shaft. The wrap iscolored or printed with a graphic, logo, hologram, or decal. The wrapalso is water resistant or alternatively is covered with an ultravioletlight-resistant layer, such as a luster overlaminate layer. Theprotective or decorative wrap can be a traditional shrink-wrap film or afilm that uses a pressure or heat activated adhesive to adhere to thesurface of the club onto which it is applied.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification andare to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like referencenumerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an iron-type golf club in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a driver or fairway wood-type golf clubhead in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show cross-sectional views of shafts of golf clubswith a protective or decorative wrap applied in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a putter-type golf club in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 a is a bottom view of the putter-type golf club in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed at golf clubs that are customized byhaving a protective or decorative wrap applied to at least a portion ofthe club head body or shaft. Several embodiments of the invention aredescribed in more detail below.

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed at golf clubs thatare customized by having a protective or decorative wrap applied to aportion of the clubs. The golf club comprises a shaft, a club head bodyportion, and a hitting face. The wrap can be a heat-activated shrinkwrap film or a pressure-activated adhesive film, but is most preferablya shrink wrap film, and it is pre-printed with a graphic or decal beforeapplication to the club. Alternatively, the protective or decorativewrap is a pressure activated adhesive wrap. In one embodiment, the wrapis applied to a portion of the club head body, and in anotherembodiment, the wrap is applied to at least a portion of the shaft. Itis also possible to apply the wrap to both the club head body and theshaft. The wrap may also be covered with a luster overlaminate layer,which acts to provide ultraviolet protection for the graphic that isprinted on the wrap. In another embodiment, the wrap is simply coloredwith one or more colors. In yet another embodiment, the wrap comprisesan extra layer, and a holographic image is printed on the extra layer.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed at golf clubsthat are customized by having a protective or decorative wrap applied toa portion of the shaft of the clubs. In this embodiment, the protectiveor decorative wrap is embedded with polymer fibers such as Kevlar® so asto alter the strength and stiffness of the shaft. The amount of polymersembedded in the wraps may vary according to the users' desired clubcharacteristics, and users can apply the wrap(s) to different portionsof the shaft in order to adjust various points of flexibility. Thefibers can be chopped fibers or can run along the entire length of thewrap.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention features golf clubswherein a protective or decorative wrap is applied to a portion of theclub head. In this embodiment, the protective or decorative wrap ispreferably embedded with high density fillers such as tungsten atselected portions thereof. Placement of the wrap, which may come in anynumber of sizes, with the high density areas on selected parts of theclub head, such as the sole, allows users to adjust the moment ofinertia and the center of gravity of the club head, thereby changing agolf ball's flight path. Additionally, the protective or decorative wrapmay be impregnated with a low-friction polymer such aspolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commercially available as Teflon® fromDuPont. When applied the sole of the club head, such a wrap may providefurther protection and reduced friction in addition to added weight.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed at a method ofcustomizing clubs by applying a protective or decorative wrap to aportion of the club in accordance with the invention. A golf club havinga shaft, club head body portion, and hitting face is provided. Theprotective wrap, preferably a shrink-wrap film or adhesive film asdiscussed above, is applied to a portion of the golf club, and then iscured to the portion of the club by an additional step. In oneembodiment, the wrap comprises a pressure-activated adhesive and thecuring is done by a process of applying pressure to the wrap.Alternatively, the wrap comprises a heat-activated adhesive, and thecuring is done by a process of applying heat to the wrap. In otherembodiments of the invention, the method further comprises anintermediate step wherein the wrap is pre-printed with a decal, logo, orgraphic, preferably with an inkjet printer, before it is applied to thegolf club. The wrap utilized may even be an opaque color or colors. Insome embodiments, the wrap may be applied to any portion of the shaft,the club head body excluding the hitting face, or any combinationthereof. In another embodiment, the method comprises applying a lusteroverlaminate layer over the protective wrap, preferably for ultravioletlight ray protection.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 shows an iron-type golfclub in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Golfclub 10 comprises shaft 16 and club head body portion 12, which in turncomprises hitting face 14 and hosel area 18. Shaft 16 is inserted intohosel 18. Protective or decorative wrap 20 is pre-printed with graphic22 and is applied to a portion of shaft 16. Depending upon the type ofadhesive in wrap 20, either pressure or heat is applied to wrap 20 toadhere it to shaft 16. Wrap 20 is preferably a shrink-wrap filmcomprising a polymer such as polyethylene, but can be any protective ordecorative wrap film known in the art that is capable of beingpre-printed or colored. Suitable materials for wrap 20 include 3M™Controlac™ Plus Changeable Graphic Film with Comply™ Performance 3500Cand 3M™ Scotchcal™, both available from and manufactured by MinnesotaMining and Manufacturing, Inc. of St. Paul, Minn. This particularembodiment is especially advantageous when the shaft comprises stainlesssteel. Many golfers utilize clubs with steel shafts, which are generallystiffer than graphite shafts, for improved control. However, stainlesssteel is not easily painted or otherwise customized, so stainless steelshafts generally remain silver-colored. The inventive wrap provides away to customize the shaft to the club owner's liking, whatever thematerial.

Furthermore, wrap 20 may be impregnated with fibers or fillers such aspolycrystalline alumina, boron, silicon carbide, glass, graphite, etc.,in order to provide strength or rigidity to certain area(s) of shaft 16beneath wrap 20. Preferably, a fiber such as Kevlar is embedded withinwrap 20. Once applied to the proper area(s) of shaft 16, wrap 20 can beused to adjust the flexibility and performance of shaft 16, andtherefore golf club 10. Because wrap 20 is removable, users cancustomize the flex properties of golf club 10 at will. The fibers can bechopped or may run along the entire length of the wrap, and theimpregnated wrap 20 can cover the entire shaft or portions thereof. Thethickness of wrap 20 can also be adjusted to change the flexibility ofthe shaft.

FIG. 2 shows a driver or fairway wood-type golf club head in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. Club head body 12 includeshitting face 14, hosel area 18, and crown portion 17. As shown, graphic22 is pre-printed on wrap 20, and protective or decorative wrap 20 isthen applied to crown portion 17. Depending upon the type of adhesiveused in wrap 20, either pressure or heat is applied to adhere it tocrown portion 17. Alternatively, wrap 20 may be applied to any part ofthe club head body 12, excluding hitting face 14.

Wrap 20 may also be impregnated with high-density fillers, such astungsten, preferably when wrap 20 is added to the club head. By addingthe high-density fillers to portion(s) of wrap 20, users may adjust theproperties of club head body 12, such as moment of inertia and center ofgravity. For example, a wrap 20 impregnated with a high-density filleron portions thereof that is applied to crown portion 17 of club headbody 12 would shift the center of gravity up vertically, resulting in alower trajectory shot. Contrariwise, applying wrap 20 to sole area 13would shift the center of gravity lower in club head body 12, resultingin a higher trajectory. Preferably, wrap 20 could be designed to containareas with or without fillers, or even filler gradients to adjust theproperties of club head body 12.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b both show cross-sectional views of shafts of golfclubs in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 3 a, shaft 16 isshown completely surrounded by protective or decorative wrap 20.Optional luster overlaminate layer 25 may be added by a similarshrink-wrapping process as wrap 20, and may or may not completelysurround shaft 16. In FIG. 3 b, another embodiment is shown where wrap20 is only applied to part of the circumference of shaft 16. Optionalluster overlaminate layer 25 is shown in this view as well as coveringabout the same amount of surface area as wrap 20, although it isappreciated that layer 25 may be applied so as to cover either more orless surface area than protective wrap 20.

A rear view of a putter-type club in accordance with the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 4. Club 10 comprises shaft 16 and club headbody 12, which comprises crown 17, back portion 15, and upper backportion 19, as well as a sole 13 (shown in FIG. 4 a) and a hitting face(not shown). Wraps 20 a and 20 b have graphics 22 a and 22 b printed oneach respectively, each wrap is applied to a portion of club 10, and theappropriate pressure or heat is used to activate the adhesive includedin each wrap. In FIG. 4, wrap 20 a displaying graphic 22 a is shownapplied to upper back portion 19. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 4 a, wrap 20 b isapplied to back portion 15 of club head body 12, but extends around thebody to cover a portion of sole 13. For aesthetic purposes, it may beseen as advantageous by some golfers to apply wrap 20 b in this manner,while displaying graphic 22 b on the back portion 15 of club head body12. Wrap 20 b may also be impregnated with a high-density filler as seenabove or a low-friction polymer such as PTFE, commonly known as Teflon®.The low-friction PTFE is particularly advantage in wrap 20 b in order tominimize frictional contact with the grass while putting. Using ahigh-density filler in wrap 20 b helps to product a “weighty” feel thatmany golfers desire in putter-type clubs, but provides the ability toadjust the weight at a moment's notice, unlike other fixed-weight clubs.

While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein fulfill the objectives stated above, it is appreciatedthat numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised bythose skilled in the art. Such modifications include that the protectiveor decorative wraps may comprise different materials known in the area,the graphics or colors may be different, the wraps may be applied todifferent parts of the club head or shaft, etc. The decorative orprotective wrap can also be applied on the entire shaft from the hoselto the grip and can be applied on the entire club head, except thehitting face. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claimsare intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments, whichwould come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A golf club comprising a shaft, a grip disposed on the shaft, a clubhead, and a hitting face, wherein a portion of the shaft or the clubhead is surrounded by a wrap, wherein said wrap is activated by heat orpressure.
 2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of theclub head is surrounded by the wrap.
 3. The golf club of claim 2,wherein at least a portion of the wrap comprises a high-density fillermaterial.
 4. The golf club of claim 3, wherein the high-density fillermaterial comprises tungsten.
 5. The golf club of claim 2, wherein atleast a portion of the wrap comprises a low friction polymer.
 6. Thegolf club of claim 5, wherein the wrap comprisespolytetrafluoroethylene.
 7. The golf club of claim 5, wherein said atleast portion of the wrap covers at least a portion of the sole.
 8. Thegolf club of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the shaft issurrounded by the wrap.
 9. The golf club of claim 8, wherein the wrapcomprises fibers.
 10. The golf club of claim 9, wherein the fiberscomprise Kevlar.
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. The golf club ofclaim 1, wherein the wrap comprises a heat-activated adhesive. 14.(canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)19. The golf club of claim 2, wherein substantially the entire club headexcept the hitting face is surrounded by the wrap.
 20. The golf club ofclaim 8, wherein substantially the entire shaft is surrounded by thewrap.